Roczen, Stewart Top Qualifying at Straight Rhythm

Qualifying concluded Friday at the second-annual Red Bull Straight Rhythm at Pomona Raceway. Timed practice yesterday determined today's seeds (1-16), with riders going head-to-head in a best two of three format with the winner advancing to the quarterfinals, semifinals and finals. The higher seed will have the choice of which side they want to run. In the Lites Class, qualifying determined today’s seed (1-8), eliminating six riders.

Ken Roczen, who underwent back surgery after the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross finale, looks 100 percent, qualifying first with a time of 42.336. Monster Energy Supercross and Lucas Oil Pro Motocross champion Ryan Dungey finished a close second with a time of 42.835. Both riders are competing at the event for the first time.

In his first race back following a sixteen-month suspension, James Stewart qualified third with a time of 43.025. Justin Brayton, who finished runner-up to Stewart last year, finished fourth. Dean Wilson, Josh Hansen, Kyle Partridge, Vince Friese, Andrew Short and Kyle Chisholm would round out the top 10.

Ken Roczen will not have to face either James Stewart or Ryan Dungey until the final. Dungey and Stewart, if they were to advance that far, will face off in the semi-finals.

In the Lites Class, Malcolm Stewart, who pushed his brother James to the edge in the Open Class last year, has moved down to the 250 and topped qualifying with a 44.108. Lucas Oil/Red Bull KTM teammates Jessy Nelson (44.450) and Shane McElrath (44.590) finished second and third. Malcolm will face GEICO Honda’s Matt Bisceglia in the first round.